The Guardians by Andrew Pyper

The Guardians by Andrew Pyper

**** 4 stars

Review

This was a really good horror thriller which I enjoyed and the first book from this author that I have read and will not be the last!

Four young teens enter an empty house across the street and what they find there changed their lives forever. Their teacher has gone missing and they believe she has been taken to this house by their coach.
The past and the present seem to be overlapping and the evil in the house is replaying past events just with different people.
Twenty years later two of the boys return  for one of their friends funeral and they seem to be drawn in to the house's evil all over again!

I enjoyed the writing and the story in this book, but I was just a little disappointed in the ending, but would still recommend and I am pleased to say I have found a new author to me with a back log of titles that I will be reading very soon, what could be better?

Jar of Hearts by Jennifer Hillier

Jar of Hearts by Jennifer Hillier

***** 5 stars!

Review

This was a truly fantastic read which I loved!
It had me turning the pages at incredible speed, staying up until the early hours to finish it!

Geo's first boyfriend was revealed as a serial killer and after the murder of her best friend, he disappeared from her life for nearly twenty years but the past is about to catch up to both of them and she needs to pay the price for the part she played in her friends murder.
After she is released, more murders are happening and they seem to be the same as the murders that her boyfriend commited, is he on his way back to her?

This was a fantastic fast paced thriller and the first book by this author that I have read. Needless to say that her other books have been ordered and are currently on their way to me now!
Great characters and a unique storyline!
I thoroughly recommend this book!

Convenience Store Woman by Sayaka Murata

Convenience Store Woman by Sayaka Murata

*** 3 stars

Review

This was a very unusual read for me, I did think it was a non fiction book but it is fiction.
It is about a woman who completely lives for her job working in a convenience store part time in China.
She has no desire to get married and start a family as is expected of her, her mindset is totally different to all of those around her and she doesn't understand why?

This was a quick read and kept me entertained through out the book.
Keiko was such a quirky character and for most of the book I could sympathise with her. She didn't live her life the way everyone expected, she knew she was an oddity to those around her, but she carried on regardless.

A good read for those who want to try something a little different!

The Loss of Some Detail by Mandi Martin

The Loss of Some Detail by Mandi Martin

** 2 stars

Review

Not too sure what to say about this particular book, apart from I am glad it is finished.

James Grey attends to patients in an abandoned asylum. His day to day duties are to look after the patients whether docile or violent.
Strange things are happening to James, he is seeing things and forgetting things.
Is this situation all it seems or is there something else entirely going on here?

This was an arc copy for me to review with lots of errors in, so this didn't help.
The premise of the story could have been great, but sadly it just seemed to drag on with not a lot happening most of the time.
Sorry but for such a small book it took me an age to get through it. I just wasn't at all interested.
Not for me I am afraid.

For Reasons Unknown by Michael Wood

For Reasons Unknown by Michael Wood

***** 5 stars!

Review

This is the first book in the Matilda Darke series.

Matilda is back to work after a hell of a year where a case went badly wrong for her and her husbands death.
She is put on cold cases until she can show her boss that she is back to her old self again. Something which Matilda is working very hard on but seems to be failing at.
When the cold case she is working on becomes linked with a new murder inquiry her old team are working on, things start to get interesting.
Matilda starts to feel like her old self again, but her replacement starts to fall apart. Can they work together and put their differences aside to solve this case or will it all go disastrous?

A brilliant start to a new series for me. I am currently loving crime fiction with a female lead and can recommend this series.
I now have the rest of the books so keep your eyes peeled for upcoming reviews.

The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides

The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides

**** 4 stars

Review

After all of the hype surrounding this book, I felt I had to see for myself if it was as good as everyone thought it was!

Alicia hasn't spoken a word since the day she murdered her husband, she is currently in an institute called The Grove.
Theo is a therapist who is fascinated with the case of Alicia Berenson and he applies for a vacancy at The Grove to hopefully become her therapist in time. He feels that he is the only person that can get her to speak again and open up to him.

I felt that this was a little slow to start but then as it picked up speed I began to enjoy the twists and turns and I thought great this is going to be one hell of a story, but sadly I had figured out the ending about 3/4 of the way through and I was left disappointed.
It did not live up to the hype for me I am afraid, but was a good read never the less.

A Room Full of Bones by Elly Griffiths

A Room Full of Bones by Elly Griffiths

**** 4 stars

Review

This is the 4th book in the Ruth Galloway mystery series. I really enjoy these books, they are a comforting read and the characters evolve in each book. It's great getting to know them better and each book is like having coffee with old friends.

In this one the curator at the local museum is found dead just before the start of an exhibition.
Was it foul play?
Then when others start to turn up dead Nelson's team have to find the killer before they strike again.
Meanwhile Nelson has been taken ill and is in hospital fighting for his life. Is this something to do with a curse that has gone awry?

This was an enjoyable read and I cannot wait to start the next book in the series.
Good engaging read!

Sam by Iain Rob Wright

Sam by Iain Rob Wright

***** 5 stars

Review

This was the first book that I have read by this author and it certainly won't be the last!

Sammie is very poorly, no doctors or psychiatrist can help him. So his mother Jessica calls in Tim, a ghost hunter and Angela an ex priest to help her.
His personality seems to have changed overnight and he has become dangerous.
They come to the conclusion that he is possessed by a demon, so Angela prepares to carry out an exorcism to save the boys life.
Is he really possessed or just plain evil?

I really enjoyed this book and gave it 5 stars. The story was completely engrossing and scary. All the characters were well written and the twists and turns had me gasping out loud.

Great read! Thoroughly recommended!

Down To The Woods by M.J Arlidge

Down To The Woods by M.J Arlidge

**** 4 stars

Review

This was the 8th book in the Detective Inspector Helen Grace series, which I have read back to back, something I never usually do, but this has just been a fantastic series. I just had to keep picking the books up one after the other, eager to get back to these great characters.

In this book, a body is found in the woods, it looks like he was hunted before his violent death.
Helen and her team race against time to try to catch the killer before he strikes again.

I only have this one 4 stars as I just didn't feel the story was as engrossing as the previous books. Don't get me wrong this was still an excellent read which I did enjoy!
We now have to wait until June for the next book. I am not sure I can!
Fantastic series which I recommend to everyone I talk to!!

Running Blind by M.J Arlidge

Running Blind by M.J Arlidge

***** 5 stars!

Review

This was another novella from the D.I Helen Grace series.
Helen is a new recruit, a traffic cop, when she comes across a RTA that is suspicious. The man has no shoes or socks on and has dog bites on his legs. Where has he come from? Is he in the country illegally? If so how did he get here and where was he escaping from?
Helen is tenacious and wants to get to the bottom of this case and lay this man to rest, even if it upsets her boss.

This shows Helen's early years in her job. You get a good understanding of how she quickly climbed the ladder and how she impressed those around her.

Great read!

No Way Back by M.J Arlidge

No Way Back by M.J Arlidge

***** 5 stars!

Review

This was a short novella from the D.I Helen Grace series, all about Helen as a young girl in foster care, after her sister murdered their parents.
She is placed in a home where there seems to be some sinister goings on in the basement after lights out.
A couple of girls go missing and it seems that this is the start of Helen's detective career.

A good background story to Helen's abusive childhood.
Good read.

Love Me Not by M.J Arlidge

Love Me Not by M.J Arlidge

***** 5 stars

Review

This is the 7th in the Helen Grace series.
Wow! Just brilliant again!
I absolutely love this series, the author does a wonderful job developing the regular characters and making the protagonist in each story, people that you start to empathise with.

In this book, two young adults are causing mayhem in Southampton by cold blooded killing people with a shot gun. Are these killings random or is there some planning to these executions.
Helen's team are on the case, trying their best to track them down before the next killing.

This was a fantastic storyline yet again from my favourite author and my favourite character of all time.
Helen is trying to come to terms with what has happened to her over the last few months and diving back into her work, but can she continue to keep her team safe.

Excellent! 5 stars!

Hide and Seek by M.J Arlidge

Hide and Seek by M. J Arlidge

***** 5 stars!

Review

The 6th book of the D.I Helen Grace series and seriously, they just keep on getting better and better!

Helen is in prison for a crime that she was framed for, she is trying her best to stay alive each day as a copper in prison is very bad news. When one of her prison inmates is found dead and mutilated who better to investigate than Helen herself.
While on the outside Charlie is working hard to find evidence to free Helen and to convince the team to work with her. This is proving difficult but Charlie will not give up fighting to free her friend.

This was a fast paced storyline, which had me turning the pages double quick. I just had to know how Helen was going to get out of this terrible situation she had found herself in.
Another brilliant instalment, this really is my favourite series ever!
Fully recommended! 5 star read!!

Little Boy Blue by M.J Arlidge

Little Boy Blue by M.J Arlidge

***** 5 stars!

Review

This was book number 5 in the Helen Grace series and it was as brilliant as the previous ones!
A fantastic storyline which was really hard to put down.

A man is murdered and Helen and her team need to find the murderer before he or she strikes again.
But this time the deceased is known to Helen and may open a can of worms that Helen wants to keep firmly closed.
As the killer strikes again though is this a person who has a personal vendetta against Helen?

Another gripping murder case to solve with plenty of twists and turns and an ending that I really didn't see coming.

Fantastic as always! 5 star read!!

Liar Liar by M.J Arlidge

Liar Liar by M.J Arlidge

***** 5 stars!

Review

Another fantastic instalment in the D.I Helen Grace series.

Fires are being started in succession in Southampton, are these just purely coincidence or is there a more sinister reason behind them and how can 3 fires be started relatively close together in different parts of town?
Helen has her work cut out for her with this inquiry, her team are working all hours but seem to be coming up with no results. They need to go back to the beginning and start again.
Meanwhile Helen is also having problems in her personal life and with her new boss taking particular interest in her, she is walking a very fine line.

I loved this book like all the others in this series it had me hooked right from the very start! The storylines are always exciting and original and the characters feel like old friends. I never want this series to end!

Fantastic and another 5 star read for me!

Cilka's Journey by Heather Morris

Cilka's Journey by Heather Morris

**** 4 stars

Review

This was truly a traumatic and emotional story. I haven't read the first book in this series yet, but I certainly plan to very soon.

Cilka was just 16 when she was taken to Auschwitz, she did what she needed to do just to survive the gas chambers and to live. But then she is sent to another prison camp in Siberia accused of being a spy and a collaborator.
Again she does what she needs to do to survive, though here she makes friends with some of the other women and eventually finds love.

This was such a heartbreaking story of this young girl which is based on a true story. You keep asking yourself How? Why? How could these atrocities happen to another human being? How can people be so evil and callous to others?

A wonderfully written beautiful story that will break your heart as you read it.
Highly recommended!

Wilde Women by Louise Pentland

Wilde Women by Louise Pentland

**** 4 stars

Review

When I started reading this book I didn't realise it was part of a series, but it didn't lessen my enjoyment of reading it.
I have now purchased the others in the series based on how much I enjoyed this one!

Robin Wilde is a brilliant and quirky character. Someone we can all relate to. Robin is off to New York for work purposes, but she is also taking her daughter, her Aunt and her best friend and her baby with her.
This is sure to cause some excitement and some adventures along the way. Robin is also hoping to spend time with her boyfriend Edward who is also there on business.

This was a heart warming read and laugh out loud funny in many places as Robin is such a fantastic and amusing character.
Great read, I thoroughly recommend it!

The Doll's House by M.J Arlidge

The Doll's House by M.J Arlidge

***** 5 stars!!

Review

This is the third book in the Detective Inspector Helen Grace series and it was every bit as good as the first two.

Another serial killer is on the loose, and time is runing out for Helen and the team to save his latest victim who is being held in a remote location.
The killer has been very clever in the past as he sends messages and tweets from the victims phones keeping them alive in their families eyes.
But now the team have found a link but they still need to find the killers identity and his location.

Another fast paced storyline, keeping me on the edge of my seat all the way through until the climax.
We again get to know more about Helen and her team which makes reading these books, like coming back to see old friends.

Brilliant! Another fantastic read from this great author. 5 stars!!!!

Eeny Meeny by M.J Arlidge

Eeny Meeny by M.J Arlidge

***** 5 stars!!!

Review

This is the first book in the Detective Inspector Helen Grace series and what a first book it was! Wow!!
I just could not put this book down but then at the same time I didn't want it to end either!

DI Grace is a strong independent woman, dedicated to her job. When the abductions start, the team are baffled as to how they are being carried out, and why they are being abducted in pairs, but only one manages to survive. What is the mindset behind them and the sadistic way in which they are carried out. Is there a pattern or a link perhaps?

I absolutely loved this book, the others in the series have already been ordered and are on their way to me now!
If you haven't read this book yet, what are you waiting for? Do it! Do it now!!!
5 star read for me!!!!

The Apartment by S.L Grey

The Apartment by S.L Grey

**** 4 stars

Review

I would say that this was more of a thriller with supernatural aspects rather than a horror story.

Mark and Steph decide to do a house swap after the trauma of being burgled. They pick an apartment in Paris, but once they get there, they realise that it had been falsely represented and is a decrepit apartment in an old building with a crazy woman living above them. Strange things start to happen to them whilst they are staying there and they decide to come back home earlier than planned.
But when they get home the creepy and strange occurrences continue to happen. Has someone or something followed them home.

A very well written creepy and atmospheric story, which had me turning the pages at rapid speed whilst chills ran down my spine.
A good read, but make sure you keep the lights on!

Poison by Jacqui Rose

Poison by Jacqui Rose

**** 4 stars

Review

This is the latest book in a series of books which have recurring characters, but can also be read as a standalone which I did.

Franny Doyle is in prison for a crime she didn't commit, this time! She is planning her revenge on the Detective that put her behind bars and on Vaughn Sadler who falsely gave evidence against her.

I really enjoyed this book, it was well written and a great story which had me reading until the early hours of the morning. I have now bought the first book in this series and will now be reading them in order.

A fantastic and fast paced gangland thriller which fans of Martina Cole will surely enjoy.
Great read!

Pop Goes The Weasel by M.J Arlidge

Pop Goes The Weasel by M.J Arlidge

***** 5 stars!!!

Review

This is the second book in the Helen Grace series, I loved the first and was unsure of this one would match up to the first, but boy it did!
It was every bit as atmospheric and edge of your seat suspense as the first!

This time Detective Inspector Helen Grace is chasing a serial killer who is killing married men who visit prostitutes, kind of a Jack the Ripper in reverse.
The bodies are starting to line up and Helen's new boss is on her back, anxious to catch the killer before more bad press falls on them.
Helen and Charlie are now both back to work after the horrendous events of a few months ago. Each are both eager to show that they are capable of carrying out their duties.

I loved this book and again just could not put it down, eager to read it at every opportunity.
Seriously if you haven't read this series yet, you really should. This author is amazing!
Another 5 stars again for this series!

The Phantom of Manhattan by Frederick Forsyth

The Phantom of Manhattan by Frederick Forsyth

*** 3 stars

Review

This was the sequel to Phantom of the Opera which I have never read, but I know the basic story.
The Phantom has fled to New York and has made a fortune with different ventures, but he still remembers his love and moved heaven and earth for her to come and sing in his new opera house. When she arrived the floodgates open and all of his old feelings and hurt come rushing back and some old secrets start to emerge.
Will The Phantom get the happy ever after that he so desperately craves?

A very well written story, which kept me engrossed, forever rooting for The Phantom to be happy at last!

Recommended short read!

The Day I Lost You by Fionnuala Kearney

The Day I Lost You by Fionnuala Kearney

**** 4 stars

Review

This was a heartbreaking story where Jess loses her daughter Anna in a skiing accident, leaving her daughter Rose with Jess.
But Jess soon finds out that she really didn't know her daughter very well at all, when secrets start to emerge after her death. Secrets that will shatter the whole family to the core.

An excellent read which I thoroughly enjoyed. My first by this author but certainly not my last! I will be looking out for more by this author in the future.
Recommended read for fans of Diane Chamberlain and Jodi Picoult.

Blood Orange by Harriet Tyce

Blood Orange by Harriet Tyce

**** 4 stars

Review

Did Alison's client stab her husband to death?
She wants to plead guilty but something about her story doesn't ring true.
And someone knows Alison's secret and they are tormenting her and she is worried about her husband and daughter, and her career if her secret is revealed.

A thoroughly engaging thriller which I read in one sitting as I just could not stop turning the pages. And what an incredible twist at the end which I truly did not see coming!

A great read and a highly recommended domestic thriller!

If Angels Burn by Lynn Viehl

If Angels Burn by Lynn Viehl

**** 4 stars

Review

This is the first book in the Darkyn series and what a fabulous start it was! I have now bought the full series and will be reading them very soon!

Alex is a surgeon and Michael is in need of the very best, as he has been tortured and his features now need reconstructing
But Michael isn't used to people saying no to him and Michael usually gets what he wants even if he has to compel that person as Michael is a Vampire!

I really enjoyed this book, I love vampires and this was a great story, definitely an adult book as some very sexy scenes. I cannot wait to read more about some of the characters that appeared in this book.

Totally recommended read!

The Vines by Christopher Rice

The Vines by Christopher Rice

*** 3 stars

Review

This was a very strange read!
It kept me reading and engrossed, it was just a very odd story.

This is the first book of this authors that I have read, but I am a big fan of his mother Anne Rice.

Caitlin is a very sad individual and one night after a party, she sees her husband cheating on her and goes out in to the garden looking to harm herself, which is when some strange things start to happen around her and to the people around her.
Spring House has a violent history and now it is awakened and trying to claim retribution for the awful acts that happened there.

A good horror novel which I did enjoy, a quick read, recommended for these dark winter nights.